can i remove utility flags in my yard can i remove utility flags in my yard

Last month a dozen utility flags appeared on my front lawn, my neighbors front lawn and along our property line. - Ohio Revised Code: 3781.29 (A) and our Colorful Flags and Underground Utility Markings Keep Everyone Safe I then called the number on this power box thing that is located on my front yard.. but I don't exactly know who I called it just said "before digging call ###-###-####" so I called them, and they also couldn't tell me who put the flags there or whether I can or cannot remove them. Unfortunately yes, they can. In some, they are valid for only two weeks especially if you havent observed any activity. This is because they are placed on public right of way. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. The six months minimum time to remove flags applies after the required work is done. Besides owning and operating a landscaping company, I work for the local power company in NJ. Other states place a validity of the flags for 30 calendar days. If the house you purchased came with an easement, theres nothing you can do but comply. Chinese Breaker Box (240v split-phase?) However, you may wonder why there are flags on your lawn without your permission or if it is allowed for utility companies to mount utility flags on your property without permission. The Neighbor's Yard Smells Like Dog Pee and Poop: What To Do? infrared lenses Theyre eye-catching,, Read More Do You Need a Permit to Dig a Pond? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Removing these flags could disrupt any project planned in the area. The red flag indicates Electric power lines, lighting cables, and conduit cable lines. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. So what does this rainbow of marking flags in your yard mean? Utilities companies are good at scattering the stupid things all over the lawn.but don't come back to clean up their mess. Have you talked to your neighbor to make sure they've had the work done already? (Is This Illegal to Do? As electricity lines involve great danger to digging personnel and people living nearby, cables and power lines are marked in red. The flags are red (electric), orange (telecommunication) and yellow (gas). Utility flags are placed to avoid any disturbances or accidents in the area while utility work is ongoing. If so, when can I remove them? A tip from many homeowners is to bug the company about your concern. A standing flag symbol is drawn on the pink utility flag. Starting your garden or DIY landscape project? Not so fast! - WFMY News 2 Get exclusive, in-depth coverage of the University of North Texas athletics teams in this weekly newsletter. Red flags - Red is the most common flag. For orange flags, you could try to call your telephone or Cable TV company. nitrosomonas converts Why Call Before Digging in my Yard? - Buzz Custom Fence Public Works FAQs | City of Prior Lake, MN one of them has like 10 plugs crammed into the same big hole. This does not mean that someone will be parking a huge excavator in front of your home and tearing up your entire lawn. If this happens, do not plant the flags to the ground as you may not know where they were exactly located. They should be able to provide the contact name and number for the individual who called in the dig request. There were 2 supermarkets on that circuit as well as many other business's. The lawsuits from just the two supermarkets was over $800,000 in lost perishables. Be mindful of these flags; you may not like seeing green flags on your yard but dont consider removing them. Utility color flags help workers who carry out the digging identify which utility line is running under the marked spots. Every morning, get a link to our newly redesigned e-Edition and the top Denton headlines you need to start your day. This happens all the time due to the use of easements. Utility flags are placed to avoid any disturbances or accidents in the area while utility work is ongoing. But, they will almost certainly remove the flags upon work completion. If you do so, someone can file a complaint against you and you could face a lawsuit. once the construction is done, i will resume normal mowing. The red flag utility marking is probably one of the most important ones that should be tampered with for any reason. Utility companies usually place flags to mark . (Try Doing This First)Continue, Are you looking for a way to add some personality to your mailbox? What do the different colors mean? You can then call the person or company and ask about the status of the project or if the flags are still necessary. Utility flags are placed to avoid any disturbances or accidents in the area while utility work is ongoing. You can speak with the operator at 811 and ask for the details about the project in your area. Always confirm the utility response by checking the status of the utility response before . Asked 8 years, 9 months ago. A utility company can dig in your yard without permission. The colors are as follows are noted in this handy chart. Bunch of BS IMO. Before they do this, they'll mark and protect any other buried utility lines in your yard by working with 811 Call Before You Dig. The circuit was out for 3 hours. But just because there are flags on your lawn it doesnt always mean the utility company is going to start digging up your yard. Having a decent security system like a Ring Video Doorbell or Outdoor Security Cameras (both on Amazon) is a smart thing to do. The yellow flag marking indicates oil, gas, steam, petroleum, and gaseous materials utility lines. In instances where youve seen the flag on your yard for 14 days without someone doing any work, you can remove them. There are a few important reasons why there are flags on your lawn. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Homeowners FAQs - Know what's below. Call 811 before you dig Utility lines are a matter of public or state-owned facilities that are meant to serve the public. Call 811 or Contact Your Local 811 Center Before You Dig If damages have been done to your property, its best to notify the company. About half of the water we use at home is spent outdoors on landscaping. 2. A right of way is a type of easement or agreement that grants a utility the right to use, access or transit a piece of property. Before you blow your stack, relax a little bit. If you must dig within 24" of utility marks/flags, be sure to dig with care. WHEN will someone come to do something about them? Lets take this scenario for example: I wake up to find Verizon digging in my yard because of an service upgrade job. Do not work off someone else's marks or ticket. If you push through with this project, you may be forced to destroy the structure. In most cases, it is illegal to tamper with these markings. That said, If you are the subsequent owner of the property or if you are planning to buy a house in general, it helps to know the easements of your chosen property before sealing the deal. 811 is the national call-before-you-dig phone number. I've mowed twice with my flags in the ground. You can then call the person or company and ask about the status of the project or if the flags are still necessary. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Any paint markings aren't permanent and should fade over time. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. That way, contractors will not dig it up. How do I know who planted "no dig" flags and when I can remove them? Worse, you could end up in court. It could be that individuals or companies calling in the dig request cant provide the exact location to mark. Once mower is stopped, walk over and move the flags out of the way. They were here today.They marked with both spraypaint and flags. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. If the utility flags on your lawn do not have our logo imprinted on them, then we did not mark that utility and will not be able to provide any information regarding the flags or proposed work. Can I Remove Utility Flags In My Yard: Is this Illegal? Mailboxes that have been directly hit by a snowplow will be repaired at the City's expense as soon as time and weather permit. The blue flag marking indicates portable water lines and is not to be tampered with for any reason. In most cases, it is illegal to tamper with these markings. If you must remove the utility flags in your lawn or backyard, make sure you call the utility company in charge of the utility lines of your area or street to ensure it is safe to remove any utility flag. OK, so today I am on my virtually new VRide cutting an apartment complex which has some marking flags in the lawn. The only person who should be removing them is the one responsible for the placement of the flags. For more information, visit California811. So, if you have been considering digging a, Read More Can I Dig a Well on My Property? But this authority only takes place after the initial need for the flags is completed. Digging works could involve installation, repair,and maintenance of underground lines. Avoiding the flagged areas, of course. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Residential customers - Pacific Gas and Electric Company (Is This Illegal to Do? Yard Blogger provides practical tips and friendly expert advice on everything relating to your home and yard. Create a password that only you will remember. Children may also accidentally take those flags out. While you cant really prevent utility companies from doing their jobs, its good to know who is setting foot on your property and what theyre doing. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Legal Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only, and shouldnotbe interpreted aslegal advice or acted upon as such. How To Remove An Easement From Your Property The Right Way, Can You Get Street Lights Turned Off? Invalid password or account does not exist. These flags aside, the color comes with symbols. No such luck. A working day is defined as 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, not including holidays. Frequently Asked Questions - North Carolina 811 The operator should be able to provide the name of the company or individual who requested the dig and their contact information. In cases where you wont, its best to work with a lawyer. How are we as lawn people supposed to know how long the flags have been there?? This will result in everyday inconveniences that can affect not only you but also other people in the community. While most utility companies pay compensation to customers without any hesitation, others might put up a challenge. Is someone ever going to come? Modified 8 years, 9 months ago. Flags can be used to mark even simple digging projects like installing clothesline or repair and maintenance projects such as repairing the fire hydrant nearby. Other states place a validity of the flags for 30 calendar days. An orange flag marks the location of underground telecommunications lines near the curb. Positive Response can be checked here or by calling 800-445-3894. (Check for This First), Can I Put a Pool in My Front Yard? If the line is damaged, the neighborhood could experience a flood or that water will not be safe for drinking for days. NO! There is typically only a few reasons these types of little colored flags will appear in your yard or lawn. Having a decent security system like a Ring Video Doorbell or Outdoor Security Cameras (both on Amazon) is a smart thing to do. A shed can add a wonderful charm to your property and provide ample storage space if you are running, Read More Do I Need a Permit to Build a Shed? Seeing the utility flag means some utility work is about to be done in the area. Known as "locate flags," the person who called for their placement is responsible for removing them when the job is complete. I've had others leak and need another plug. The purple flag indicates another set of utilities that should not be tampered with. Legal Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only, and shouldnotbe interpreted aslegal advice or acted upon as such. According to Krueger, once a project is completed, it's the responsibility of the contractor to remove the flags. Residential customers. What do normal homeowner's do about utility flags/markings? The standard utility service paint or flags colors are: Red: Electric; Orange . Johnnie St. Vrain: Hold off on pulling up utility markers Its even more frustrating to see people come to your yard and put up flags without permission. Why Are There Flags And Paint In My Yard? - Gopher State One Call For yellow flags, try to call your natural gas provider, and for green flags try to call your local sanitary sewer authority or DPW. I've started a nice collection of them in the back of my truck. To put it simply, an easement gives a company or individuals the right to legally use a landowners property for a specific purpose. But when I called 811 they directed me to the seller's listing agent before the home was sold, and she was at a loss as to what to tell me and told me to just remove them. (The Official Answer), Is It Illegal to Leave Furniture on the Street? But if it happens to you, you should know that it means someone is planning to turn it into an excavation site. If you see plenty of white flags wrapped around an area, that should give you an idea of how big the project is. Can I remove the MISS DIG flags in my yard? Utility flags can be of several different colors, with each of the flag colors indicating a different utility line or component. At the same time, if your property is the only area neighbors can access to get to another street, that means you cant block the way or you cant even stop them from crossing your yard. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. (Do This Before Digging)Continue. No problem, I just weave around them. This center will take care of communicating with your local utilities, who will send their people out to mark line locations. They are often placed in the city. If the flags are removed before work is done, buried utility lines could be damaged and workers could be injured. You have permission to edit this article. This is especially true if the utility company or the subcontractors didnt acknowledge the damage. Digging works could involve installation, repair,and maintenance of underground lines. custom marker flags The short answer is yes, utility companies can dig up your yard and they can do so legally to gain access to pipelines and cables. they never come back to remove them. Insight Denton: Whose responsibility is it to remove those little they will stay there forever until you remove them or the home owner. ALWAYS LEAVE IMMEDIATELY then. In addition, you will be held responsible for damages to the utility. We'll come out and mark the underground lines for free. And a damaged gas line can cause soil contamination and even explosion. Custom metal stamping If there is an easement, they don't need your permission to run the cable. Utility flags are placed to avoid any disturbances or accidents in the area while utility work is ongoing. But keep in mind that removing these flags are a big no-no. Give the utility flag company a call first to inquire about their presence, and whether or not it's safe to remove them. What to do about utility flags/markings on yard - to mow or not? The removal usually happens when the job is done. According to the Pennsylvania Underground Utility Line Protection Act (Act 287): Can you transfer utilities to another person? - Wise-Answer Good point! In instances where youve seen the flag on your yard for 14 days without someone doing any work, you can remove them. Image Credit: Rick Beauregard, Shutterstock. Underground Utility Lines. You may also see a marking in the street or near a pole or structure with an arrow that says Call 811, Miss Utility, One Call, Dig Safe, UFPO, etc. i have plugs in both of my mowers. The purple flag indicates Reclaimed water lines, irrigation lines, and slurry lines. :laugh: when a construction site pops up on my properties, i will mow around the junk and tools, no trimming, i didnt quote all the debris in the mowing price. Maybe try searching. I sidewall cord separating at 5 MPH on a lawn isn't going to result in the same issue. Water gas phone sewer.They flag the entire 1/4 mile rd frontage to work in 1 little stop grrrrr. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The orange flag has a traffic light-like symbol on it. If you find a turtle in your yard, try to identify its species if you can. Just because the flags are in your lawn does not mean your lawn will be effected. Unfortunately no. Utility companies are empowered by law to place such flags, given that such utilities are considered public property by law. There was an error processing your request. THESE COMMENTS ARE NOT LEGAL ADVICE. Avoid digging near buried utilities if possible. PEGGY HEINKEL-WOLFE can be reached at 940-566-6881 and via Twitter at @phwolfeDRC. Excavation, according to the law, means anything that moves, removes or displaces earth rock or other material in or on . Digging on a spot without knowing beforehand the location of underground utility lines can be risky. We've been plugging sidewalls on mowers for years. Can I remove utility flags in my yard? Is it possible to create a concave light? If youre unsure, a more helpful way to deal with this is to call 811. Here's a key to the utility colors: It's crucial to preserve and maintain the location of flags and paint. Automatic Can Seamer It can be very tempting to play with them or even remove them. What are these little colored flags in my yard? | Utility Locator When calling for locates, please have the following information ready: Who the work is being done for (general contractor or project) Type . They are often placed in the city. In general, you should not remove utility flags in your yard. The start time is typically three working days after your locate request was placed. They can also serve as safety flags to alert passersby to hazardous areas. Never heard what happened. Removing Your Lawn. Is it Illegal to Remove Utility Flags? The locators will mark your yard with paint or flags in various colors that indicate where utility lines are . Technically, you shouldnt be removing flags the moment you see them. Usually, this involves potable water. Even neighbors can have easement over your property, giving them access to your land. This purpose should be explained clearly on the easement. Pennsylvania New Jersey Delaware Maryland, Utility Locator, LLC14 Hadco Rd, Wilmington, DE 19804, Toll Free(888) 232-5959Pennsylvania(215) 596-1234New Jersey(609)795-8998Delaware(302) 407-3724Maryland(443) 779-6060Emailinfo@utilitylocator.com, Monday Friday |6:00AM 6:00PMSaturday Sunday |Closed, Underground Utility LocatingSubsurface Utility EngineeringVacuum Excavation & Test HolesVideo Pipe Camera InspectionsConcrete Scanning & ImagingCable Fault & Pipe Leak Detection, A Division of Trinity Subsurface Engineering. Also, most flags bear the name of the company that placed them, so you should be able to see the contact information. A pink utility flag indicates there is a temporary survey marking going on in the area. We will see if they are there next week. No person shall intentionally remove or tamper with a marking provided for under this act.. OT- Little (utility) flags in my yard WTF - Practical Machinist Can I remove utility flags in my yard? City of Ballwin - Yard Markings 175. If the company or its subcontractors do damage to your land while doing their work, you must immediately notify the persons involved. This repair in such situations involves sections of the utility line that pass through your yard. As you spot those flags, you may not be sure what to do or what they mean. Insight Denton: Whose responsibility is it to remove those little utility flags and when? If youre surprised by the sight of a trench dug on your yard by a utility company, its normal to be upset and wonder whether or not a utility company can dig in your yard without permission. ROUTINE: A regular locate. She often shares practical tips and friendly expert advice on everything relating to home and yard on this blog. If youre unsure, a more helpful way to deal with this is to call 811. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. How To Protect Your Cable and Internet Lines When You're Digging in We will label this, When hiring a privateunderground utility locating company, you expect that they will find all of the underground utilities present within the project or location that, The release of last months Common Ground Alliance 2016 DIRT Report is a sobering reminder about how important it is to excavate safely around underground, Let's Discuss Your Project. If youre having trouble contacting the company or if you feel they are not attending to your concern, you have two ways to approach this: Is it possible to sue your utility company? You may have removed it before realizing its purpose. (And Wind Chimes). Mow around the markings. ago. If youre asking, what color will CATV flags in my yard or at&T flags in my yard be, then the answer is orange. However, in some cases, where lawn and concrete restoration work must still be completed, the flags should be left in place or will be replaced until that work is entirely completed. Technically, you shouldnt be removing flags the moment you see them. If you have a kids who love to dig, the centers offer child . In fact, most homes have utility easements running through the yards, both front and back. To children, those colorful flags could be very attractive. It is our state law that the flags can not be removed by ANYONE for the duration of the valid mark out. Damaging this line could release poisonous gases and may cause a flood in the neighborhood. (We Checked), Can You Demo a House With a Mortgage? wholesale rapid test kit An easement is typically granted by property owners to an electric utility for the purpose of constructing and maintaining power lines and other equipment. It could be that individuals or companies calling in the dig request cant provide the exact location to mark. 5. In some other states, the locate flags are removed by both the state apparatus and the property owners. While an easement does give right to the utility company to use or access your land, they do not own it. (Check for This First)Continue, A pool in your front yard can add an impressive touch to your property if done right. Since they are placed to mark gas lines, removing them will defeat the purpose of protecting the lines. mine haven't leaked in years. The question of permission and the legality of you removing utility flags will be discussed in this article.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'yardpit_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',106,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-yardpit_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Utility flags are the small, mostly orange reflective markers that are used to indicate underground utility lines. Removing turf with water-efficient plants can be cost-effective, beautiful, and low-maintenance. Can I Have a Shipping Container in My Backyard Legally? You may have removed it before realizing its purpose. Understanding your rights as a landowner is important so youll have knowledge on how to approach this issue, especially if you feel like your privacy has been violated. The BANE of my lawn mowing existence - Utility Marking Flags